Fuel watchdog says end to excise cut shouldn’t cause immediate price change if retailers have stock

With just days left before motorists’ fear about what’s in store for them at the bowser ramps up again, WA’s fuel watchdog say price rises will trickle in when retail stores sell-out of cheap stock. The temporary 22c fuel excise relief expires on September 29, bringing the tax back up to 44c per litre. Geraldton is expected to see fuel prices flow into the bowser from just a few days up to two weeks once the full fuel excise returns, according to Fuelwatch. On July 11, the cheapest fuel price was 207.5¢ per litre at United Rangeway. In August, the cheapest was 165.9c per litre. On Saturday, the cheapest fuel station was Coles Express in Mount Tarcoola at 158.9c per litre. A Fuelwatch spokesperson said price rises would be determined by individual fuel retailers in regional WA, depending on resupply times and competition in the area. “There are a number of different pricing methods employed by fuel retailers in regional WA and the timing of their resupply can differ widely,” they said. “Some retailers use a simple cost-plus pricing strategy which will dictate when they pass on the excise increase of 23 cents from 29 September. Many of the branded sites will price their fuel similarly in different areas regardless of each site’s timing of resupply, while others will attempt to match their competitors’ prices.” The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it would not expect “uncharacteristic or abnormal” price increases in the days before or after reintroducing the full fuel excise rate. The ACCC said it would closely monitor fuel costs and protect consumers against misleading conduct by fuel retailers.